New York Giants: Saquon Barkley even better than advertised

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was even better than expected and worth the second overall pick of any NFL Draft class.

The perception exists that we in the football community cannot fully and adequately evaluate a draft class until six years after it enters the NFL. That, of course, hasn’t stopped some from already creating re-draft scenarios in which the New York Giants select a quarterback such as Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or Lamar Jackson instead of running back and unnamed Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley.

The Giants could use an upgrade in the quarterback room regardless of what the team decides to do with Eli Manning past December. Nothing anybody has witnessed from Kyle Lauletta leads one to believe he’s going to become a Super Bowl MVP. We’re sure Alex Tanney is a nice guy, but things will have gone terribly wrong for any team that starts him in the future.

There may come a day when Giants fans lament the team not drafting a quarterback instead of Barkley. Darnold winning a title with the team that shares MetLife Stadium with the Giants certainly would sting supporters of a club that could have grabbed the signal-caller with the second overall pick of the 2018 draft.

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Heading into the new year, though, the Giants clearly wouldn’t do anything differently if the franchise had to go back and reenter last year’s rookie player selection process.

Barkley began the summer as the best overall player of his class, and he didn’t disappoint. Whether or not he runs away with personal honors for his performances throughout the fall and early winter is irrelevant. The 21-year old not only met expectations. He was better than the scouting reports indicated when he was blowing past would-be tacklers at Penn State.

As ESPN’s Jordan Raanan wrote, Barkley made history by notching 89 receptions, a record for rookie running backs. Barkley joined Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James as the third first-year back to compile at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He finished second in the NFL in rushing yards behind Ezekiel Elliott.

The numbers only tell part of the story. It didn’t take long — maybe two months if we’re being honest — to see Barkley, not wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., was the real star of a New York offense that struggled to produce in the red zone because of an awful offensive line and quarterback play that, no disrespect meant to a two-time Super Bowl MVP, often left much to be desired.

Barkley’s emergence as the top-tier threat in the New York offense raises interesting questions heading into the offseason. Are the Giants in a better place to trade Beckham than where the club sat 12 months ago? Would completing that transaction improve the Giants from where the club sits as of the first day of January?

A year ago, the thought the New York offense could somehow win and also post 30 points without Beckham in the lineup would have been ridiculous to suggest. That’s no longer the case thanks to Barkley.

What must be remembered is how truly terrible the New York offensive line was at the start of the season. Heck, tackle Ereck Flowers was somehow allowed to take the field until he was mercifully benched in the second half of September.

Imagine what Barkley could have accomplished accepting carries behind an average line. Would he have led the league in rushing? Yeah, probably. One could argue he is the best back in the league and would surpass what Elliott is able to do with the Cowboys.

The Giants remain a lousy team even with Barkley on the roster. That can’t be ignored. Following a 3-13 season with a 5-11 campaign doesn’t rest easy in the stomachs of a fanbase that often votes via wallets — look at how many Dallas fans were at MetLife on December 30 if you have any doubts about that. Barkley’s mere existence on the roster gives hope that a franchise that has won eight of its last 33 meaningful games, playoffs included, isn’t too far off from getting back to January football. Yes, he is that special.

Perhaps best of all if Barkley’s attitude and team-first mentality. You’d struggle to picture him holding out for an entire season. By the time his rookie contract expires, serious discussions about his long-term future and how much he is worth against the salary cap will be had by those running the team’s front office. For now, however, Giants fans should just enjoy watching a back who unquestionably has Hall of Fame talent. These types of players don’t come around every draft.